Program Schedule

Scheduled as of 2016-11-25 03:00:00

3786.Starting The Story
Arguably one of the worst parts of writing, starting a story stumps many young writers, and even some veteran writers. How do writers deal with the problem of starting the story? How do we stop procrastinating and just write the darn thing? What are some problems in story-starting that are unique to science fiction and fantasy, if any?, Barbara Hambly, Harry Turtledove, Laura Frankos, John DeChancieSUN 10:00 am - 11:15 am, Atlanta

3787.It WAS Science Fiction But
Star Trek and other science fictional works have inspired great inventions. The power of imagination spurred by science fiction has gone on to create wonderful things in our material reality. What are some of these inventions? What are some social changes that have come because we dreamed better in our fiction?Eric Atkinson, Isabel Schechter, Mark OshiroSUN 10:00 am - 11:15 am, Boston

3789.Hair flower and other accessories workshop
Hands-on approach to making these fun accessories for either costume or real life use. Some materials providedJonnalyhn WolfcatSUN 10:00 am - 11:15 am, Houston

3790.The Great North American Solar Eclipse of 2017: When, Where, and How to see it
On Aug. 21, 2017 (next year!), the US will experience its first solar eclipse visible to the full continent since 1979. Where can you go see it? How long will it last? How do you view it safely? We've got all your answers!Trina RaySUN 10:00 am - 11:15 am, Marquis 1

3795.Artemis Bridge Simulator Tournament
Put you crew together and compete against others in the fun Bridge Simulator game. Hardware and Software will be provided, just bring your best skilled Captain, Pilot, Science Officer, Navigator, and Communications Officer to LosCon and sign up! Sign-ups are available on Friday, the Bridge opens at 10am on Sunday for competition slots where Crews will be put through a constant siege of an ever increasing number and difficulty of enemies for 20 minutes or until they perish. Scores will be tabulated by the amount and type of enemies destroyed at the end of each round, and Extra credit will be given to crews in any space-fearing costume/uniform. / There is limited space for a gallery, if you just want to watch.Victor LockhoffSUN 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saint LouisTech: Power strips.

3794.Klingon Language Workshop
Learn to speak the language spoken by the Klingons of Star TrekWill MortonSUN 10:00 am - 11:15 am, ScottsdaleTech: Projector, Sound, Microphones, Ability to show Power Point charts and You Tube videos

3822.50 years of Star Trek props: Star Trek: TNG/DS9 and more
Discuss Star Trek props and their stories with two of the prop fabricators who created many of the iconic props for the 80's series and it's spin offs, movies and webisodes.Bear Burge, Max CervantesSUN 11:30 am - 12:45 pm, Chicago

3797.The Odds of Gods (in Spaaaaaaaace!)
We assume that the future must be secular, because we assume science is incompatible with religion. This might not be the case! From alien religions, to the demystification of the divine, to the evolution of human religions, portrayals of religion in the distant future are present in science fiction. Let's discuss some of these portrayals and what we think about them from a variety of perspectives.Gregg Castro, Aviya Amir, Isabel SchechterSUN 11:30 am - 12:45 pm, Houston

3798.Big Wheels on Mars: Curiosity and Mars 2020
Curiosity is the largest rover yet sent to Mars, and has a large suite of instruments to investigate the atmosphere, the surface, and what lies beneath. In its years on the Martian surface, it has travelled far and revealed fascinating insights. Mars 2020 will be a rover in the same style, with new instruments to investigate other facets of the Red Planet, collecting and caching samples along the way. Kim Steadman, an operations team member on both will give you the low-down on both missions, what we have learned from them, and what more we hope to learn.Kim SteadmanSUN 11:30 am - 12:45 pm, Marquis 1

3799.Writing Your Story as a Novel vs. Writing a Screenplay
It sounds easier to craft a 120 page script than a 350 page novel. But each field is equally demanding with a unique skillset, which is why most authors only write novels, while others only screenplays. This panel will discuss the skills necessary to survive and prosper in each field. Important for novelists and screenwriters of all levels.Tony N. Todaro, David Gerrold, Joel Eisenberg, Whitney Davis, Craig MillerSUN 11:30 am - 12:45 pm, Marquis 2

3801.The New Hybrid Author Model
Two highly successful authors, whose original successes came through self-publishing, and are now also traditionally-published, discuss the evolution of the new hybrid author model. With plenty of ups and downs, successes and failures, self-publishing has upended all of the traditional thinking regarding the writing and publishing paradigm, and to be successful, today's writer must be flexible and innovative.J.L. Doty, Debra HollandSUN 11:30 am - 12:45 pm, New Orleans

3806.Revisiting Themes and Tropes vs. Being Lazy
Some writers re-visit the same themes over and over again in order to tell new stories. Other writers, uh, recycle themes and their stories rely on the same themes and tropes that they've practically told the same story, just with different characters. Let's compare and contrast writers and works that do either, and talk about what the key differences are.Mark Oshiro, John DeChancie, S.P. Hendrick, J.L. DotySUN 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, Houston

3807.Cassini - Science Highlights and The Beginning of the Grand Finale
For over 12 years, Cassini has been orbiting Saturn with amazing scientific revelations. In late 2016, Cassini begins the first phase of its final mission, the Ring Skimming Orbits, and in April 2017, the Grand Finale Orbits. With highly inclined orbits that take it over the north to south over both poles, the spacecraft will make amazing unprecedented observations. Cassini swan song will be a final plunge into the gas giant planet itself. This talk will highlight recent scientific results and the unique scientific objectives of the mission.Trina Ray, Scott EdgingtonSUN 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, Marquis 1

3809.Dueling in the Honorverse
A participatory workshop on personal duels in the world of Honor Harrington covering both the Dreyfus and Ellington protocols. Participants will simulate actual duels, in both protocols, with the use of Nerf pistols.Royal_Manticoran_NavySUN 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, Marquis 3Tech: The Royal_Manticoran_Navy (http://www.trmn.org) is the official Fandom Organization for David Weber's Honor Harrington books.

3810.It SHOULD Be Science Fiction But
There are some pretty terrific things out there which one might think would be science fiction. There are also some pretty horrific things out there which one might think should be science fiction, but is not. From scary animals, to incredible technological advancements, what are your favourites of things that one would think would be science fiction or fantasy, but are not?Laura Pearlman, David Raiklen, Laura Frankos, Brad LyauSUN 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, New Orleans

3811.Make Your Own Steampunk Medal
Learn some basic sewing and assemblage skills as you create your very own steampunk medal that you can proudly pin on your chest and wear for the rest of the weekend!Anastasia HunterSUN 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, Philadelphia

3812.The Do's and Don'ts of Humorous Writing
Stand-up comedian Will Morton shares tips of what works and what doesn't in writing humorous genre literature. Audience participation will occur!Will MortonSUN 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm, ScottsdaleTech: Projector, Sound, Microphones, The ability to project Power Point charts and You Tube videos

3813.The Evolution of Gaming: What Next?
From tabletop and RPG, from console to handheld, from PBM to the MMOG, to newer trends like augmented and virtual reality, let's discuss the rich history of gaming and where the future might go.Shannon Muir, Taliesin JaffeSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, AtlantaTech: Microphone

3814.People of Color In Spaaaaaaace!
You can hate on the idea but we'll be there! What kinds of spaaaaace stories do we want to see ourselves in? What would make a POC-in-space story be different, aside from skin colour? What stories have we read recently that is about non-white people in space that we really liked, and which makes us look forward to the future?Gregg Castro, Eric Atkinson, Isabel SchechterSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, Boston

3815.The Sci-Fi YOU Want To See!
Are the big studios delivering what you, the fans, truly want? Are big budgets and effects filling the space that stories deserve? Is honoring tradition more important than fresh takes on old character arcs? Join creators and actors of your favorite projects to discuss the current state of Sci-Fi, and how independent projects are filling the void to deliver stories that fans crave.E.J. De la Peña, Tim Cassidy-Curtis, Grant McAlpine, Mary Jane De la Peña, James GaniereSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, ChicagoTech: projector, sound, VGA, HDMI, Microphone, table microphones

3816.Building your costume with foam vs vacuumform plastic
Professional prop fabricator Bear Burge discusses the pros and cons of these 2 building materials, their longevity,ﾠ how one is a stepping stone to the other and answers the questions:ﾠ what exactly is vacuuforming and why you should consider it!Bear BurgeSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, Houston

3817.Pluto: What We've Learned in a Year
Over a year ago, the New Horizons spacecraft flew past Pluto and its moon. Many expected an icy, cratered body with little or no activity. The images returned by New Horizons wowed both professional astronomers and the public alike. Pluto was revealed to be a complex, geologically active world with a ﾓheartﾔ. After a brief history of Pluto, the latest, amazing scientific results will be presented.Scott EdgingtonSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, Marquis 1

3819.Yarn Hair Falls workshop
Build a set of costume hairfalls from yarn. Some yarn, elastics and scissors provided, if you have a favorite color, bring a skein of yarn with you.Jonnalyhn WolfcatSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, Philadelphia

3820.Presenting your work!
Learn how to take a finished piece and get it ready for presentation. Most art shows will not take a piece of work that is not at least matted. Learn how to mount, mat and frame your work. Youﾒre a 3D artist? You need to know how to present that as well.Peri CharlifuSUN 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm, Scottsdale